A specialized coding bootcamp for youth is launching in the Saint John region.

The Web Development Bootcamp is a partnership between Envision Saint John and TechImpact.

It is aimed at people 18 to 29 years old who are not currently in employment, education or training, known as NEET.

Paulette Hicks, CEO of Envision Saint John, said this program will provide a gateway for long-term employment.

“Young people who may have experienced barriers to employment will graduate with job-ready IT skills and real-life work experience,” Hicks said in a news release.

The part-time program includes eight months of training for up to 20 students, including a three-month internship.

According to a release from Envision Saint John, grads can earn an average salary of $40,000 post-program completion.

The bootcamp will also provide a template for future initiatives targeting critical labour shortages and offer opportunities to quickly upskill or reskill individuals through this accelerated, hands-on program.

“Experiential learning is crucial to participants’ success as this is an introductory level bootcamp and students need their first place to grow and develop,” said Cathy Simpson, CEO of TechImpact.

Greater Saint John is home to a more significant number of NEET youth compared to the national average, according to reports commissioned by the Business Community Anti-Poverty Initiative (BCAPI) Youth Employment Working Group. The number of NEET youth in the Saint John region is one in seven, compared to the national average of one in 11.

Details on how to apply for the bootcamp will be released in the coming weeks.